CONCISE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'concise' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concise are compendious , laconic , pithy , succinct , summary , and terse . While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative. // a concise description

Q: When can 'compendious' be used instead of 'concise'?

The meanings of compendious and concise largely overlap; however, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment. // a compendious dictionary

Q: When could 'laconic' be used to replace 'concise'?

In some situations, the words laconic and concise are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious. // an aloof and laconic stranger

Q: How does the word 'pithy' relate to other synonyms for 'concise'?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance. // a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'succinct' instead of 'concise'?

The synonyms succinct and concise are sometimes interchangeable, but succinct implies the greatest possible compression. // a succinct letter of resignation

Q: Where would 'summary' be a reasonable alternative to 'concise'?

While in some cases nearly identical to concise , summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation. // a summary listing of the year's main events

Q: When would 'terse' be a good substitute for 'concise'?

While the synonyms terse and concise are close in meaning, terse implies pointed conciseness. // a terse reply

concise

adjective

kən-ˈsīs

Definition of concise next

as in summary

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a concise article on violence in the media that manages to say more than most books on the subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective concise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concise are compendious, laconic, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When can compendious be used instead of concise?

The meanings of compendious and concise largely overlap; however, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When could laconic be used to replace concise?

In some situations, the words laconic and concise are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How does the word pithy relate to other synonyms for concise?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When is it sensible to use succinct instead of concise?

The synonyms succinct and concise are sometimes interchangeable, but succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

Where would summary be a reasonable alternative to concise?

While in some cases nearly identical to concise, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When would terse be a good substitute for concise?

While the synonyms terse and concise are close in meaning, terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Examples of concise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lee proved to be a suitably powerful presence behind the kit for the peppy, concise songs on Monuments to an Elegy, the only Pumpkins release on which nearly every track wraps up in under four minutes. —

Al Shipley, SPIN, 17 Aug. 2024 Post-hearing briefs are intended to be concise, direct and persuasive summaries of the strongest arguments raised by a party after a hearing. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2024 Essentially, Excellence in Communication accelerates the team-building process that typically takes years into a concise, effective training session. —

Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024 Walsh orchestrates it all masterfully, keeping the various storylines in perfect balance and repeatedly finding the kinds of clear, concise gestures and expressions that can define a character in a matter of moments. —

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for concise

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'concise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.